Washington, DC – In a move aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Tehran, the United States imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s shipping network. Reuters reported that these measures are intended to disrupt oil smuggling networks and financial activities. Iran uses these networks to circumvent international sanctions.
Targeting the network of “Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani”
The U.S. Treasury Department explained that the new sanctions specifically target the network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, which is accused of facilitating illicit activities. Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent affirmed that his department is working to “shut down the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to U.S. national security and global shipping.” This package adds to previous sanctions. With these additions, U.S. sanctions now target more than 200 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to this network. However, the department has granted limited exceptions related to safety and environmental requirements.
Trump: “Next week will be very bad for Iran.”
Alongside the economic sanctions, US President Donald Trump outlined a new phase of the conflict. In an interview with Fox News early Wednesday, he asserted that the US administration had made it clear to Tehran: “You’d better make a deal, or you’ll have nothing left.”
Trump unveiled a phased military strategy, explaining that he had ordered a halt to strikes on Iranian oil facilities for the time being. He said this decision was made to avoid negatively impacting the global economy. However, he emphasized that these facilities could become targets in later stages if Iranian resistance continued.
Trump warned, “Next week will be very bad for Iran. Power plants and bridges will be next unless they come to the negotiating table.”
Close monitoring and nuclear allegations
The US President stressed that military operations will continue as long as Washington deems it necessary. He pointed to the use of precision weapons capable of reaching great depths. He explained that American forces are closely monitoring the Iranian “Jabal Ax” site. He also warned that any Iranian move would face an immediate response.
In justifying the military operations, Trump claimed that Iran was only two weeks away from possessing a nuclear weapon. He asserted that the US strikes targeting nuclear sites were a strategic necessity. Despite the heightened threat, Trump indicated that US negotiators held direct talks with their Iranian counterparts on Tuesday. He thus presented Tehran with two options: either reach a political settlement or face a series of strikes aimed at crippling the country’s strategic infrastructure.
